Meet the Proteas women’s squad

By YOU Digital

07 December 2018

Supplied.

These players fly the flag for South African cricket – and women everywhere

Here are the inspiring sportswomen who are blazing a trail for female cricketers. By now you probably know all the male Proteas players, but these women also represent Cricket South Africa (CSA) all over the world. They’re committed, train hard – and of course, they’re pretty talented!

This is a quick round-up of the squad – so you’ll know who you’re cheering for next time you watch a match or hear about the Proteas women’s team.

Dané van Niekerk – team captain

Dané has come a long way since playing cricket in the backyard with her dad and brother while growing up in Pretoria. When she wasn’t accepted to join her primary school’s cricket team because she was a girl, Dané’s parents moved her to another school – which welcomed her to the team. She went on to play for Eastern Province, becoming captain at 16. She made her Proteas debut in March 2009 during the World Cup match against the West Indies. “For me, if you’re good enough to play then you must be allowed to,” feisty Dané says.

Sune Luus – all-rounder

Sune Luus played provincial cricket when she eight years old – for the Under-13 team. Born in Pretoria, the talented all-rounder forged ahead and at 12 made the Under-19 team. At 16 she was invited to join the Proteas. In May last year she earned the accolade of Women's Cricketer of the Year at CSA’s annual awards. On reaching your goals she says: “Set your goal and work towards it. You can achieve anything you want. Ignore stereotypes and love what you do.”

Chloe Tryon – vice-captain and all-rounder

Hailing from Scottsborough in KwaZulu-Natal, vice-captain Chloe Tryon is the team joker. When not on the field Chloe, who has a tertiary qualification in coaching science,loves to make people laugh. She enjoys being the team’s DJ and entertainer and a party doesn’t start without her. During her downtime she enjoys soccer, tennis and surfing, and she also loves the ocean and beach. She says to train like the Proteas “you have to be consistent, put your mind to it, set a goal and work towards it”.

Tumi Sekhukhune – bowler

Tumi Sekhukhune is one of the newest additions to the squad and because of her stature is nicknamed “Shorty”. The petite powerhouse who hails from Daveyton in Ekurhuleni made her mark in September this year in the series against the West Indies. Before she took up cricket she played provincial tennis. Off the field she enjoys reading and dancing. “I’m a reader of philosophy. I love things that add value to my life. It’s important to have a positive mindset and have fun.”

Ayabonga Khaka – bowler

Born in Middledrift in the Eastern Cape, Ayabonga was awarded a national contract by Cricket South Africa ahead of the 2018/19 season. Like many of the other team members, she started playing cricket at a young age as the only girl in a boys’ team. In May 2018 she took her 50th wicket in Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs) in the series against Bangladesh. She enjoys looking up her grandmother in the Eastern Cape, watching TV and spending time with family.

Lizelle Lee – batter

Lizelle Lee made her debut in the national women's cricket team in 2013. Her talent is recognised worldwide. She scored a century playing for England’s Surrey Stars in the final of the 2018 Women's Cricket Super League, helping her team to clinch the tournament. The hard-hitting batter was born in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, and is an animal lover – she has two puppies, Dino and Benji. Not content with confining herself to the cricket pitch, she’s also a good golfer and hockey player.

Laura Wolvaardt–opening batter

Opening batter Laura Wolvaardt, who matriculated in 2017 with seven distinctions, is one of the youngest players in the squad. When she was 11 she was selected to play for the Western Province Under-19 girls team. Laura got her call up to the Proteas in 2016 and during the same year became South Africa’s youngest centurion, male or female, in international cricket. “I enjoy the process of improving. It’s easy to get frustrated but I persevere. It’s also important to be well-balanced,” says Laura, who’s been accepted to study medicine at Stellenbosch University.

Shabnim Ismail – bowler

Opening bowler Shabnim Ismail rates among the world’s quickest women bowlers, hurling the ball at 128km an hour. Born in Cravenby, Cape Town, her interest in sport started at a young age and she’s always loved playing cricket. Her path changed dramatically when she was approached by the Western Cape cricket coach with an offer to join that team. Her advice to young women interested in carving out a career in professional sport: “Believe in what you want. Follow your dreams and enjoy what you do. Learn your lessons, commit and behave professionally.”

These Proteas are everyday women who are #AlwaysRising, trying to achieve their dreams in a sport that is male-dominated. The #WeAreMore campaign seeks to show these women are more than just mothers and sportswomen, allowing the public to get to know them.

Put faces to the names! Check out the TVC below.

Go to www.cricket.co.za to find out when and where they’re playing next!.